Vissel Kobe have announced the have acquisition of prolific forward Ken Tokura (23) from Thespa Kusatsu on a full transfer. Tokura is 187 cm, and 80 kg, and scored 26 goals in 57 J2 appearances for Kusatsu.

He was born in Tokyo, and at age 13 was brought into the Yokohama F. Marinos family, moving on to Kawasaki Frontale youth at age 16. He continued with Frontale while studying at Keio University but, after graduating joined Thespa Kusatsu.

Tokyo Verdy's shareholders on Tuesday approved the J, League's plans to take over the operations of the financially troubled second-division club. The J. League decided last month to inject funds into Tokyo Verdy and take over the club's operations if the former top-flight giants' financial outlook failed to show signs of improvement by the end of June. Senior J. League official Hideyuki Hanyu replaced Daishi Watanuki as Tokyo Verdy's president. Last year, Nippon Television Network Corp., which had a 98.8 percent stake in Tokyo Verdy, withdrew from the club's operations.